Why This Texas School Has Hosted Boosterthon 8 Years in a Row

By the time Stephanie Provo’s children started attending Birnham Woods Elementary outside of Houston, TX, Boosterthon had already become a staple of the school’s calendar. According to Dr. Christine Butler, the school’s principal, Birnham Woods has partnered with Boosterthon every year since it first opened: 8 years, in total.

In a way, Boosterthon has become a way of life at BWE.

“I can’t imagine NOT having Boosterthon!”

“I can’t imagine NOT having Boosterthon!” Dr. Butler said. “It continues to be so financially successful for us year after year that it’s the ONLY school-wide fundraiser we do. What other fundraiser makes a 2-page spread in your yearbook every year?”

“What other fundraiser makes a 2-page spread in your yearbook every year?”

But for Stephanie, who went on to become the school’s PTO President, the national Fun Run fundraiser was completely new.

“I thought it was very unique and a great way to involve family and friends that didn’t live nearby,” she said.

At her children’s previous schools, they had used several product-sale fundraisers: wrapping paper, cookie dough, chocolate bars, etc. According to Stephanie, those fundraisers made some money but nothing like what they were able to raise with Boosterthon.

Over the past several years, Boosterthon has helped Birnham Woods profit just under $400,000.

Over the past several years, Boosterthon has helped Birnham Woods profit just under $400,000. With those funds, they’ve been able to purchase:

playground equipment

playground sunshades

multiple carts of Chromebooks

multiple carts of iPads

mimios

projectors

white boards

cork boards

field trips for every student every year

and equipment for staff and specials teachers

Additionally, BWE teachers now have a wide range of instructional resources at their fingertips as a result of their financial success of Boosterthon. They’ve expanded their literacy library for instructional use, purchased instructional materials for use in the classrooms, and sent staff to

“Our parents can see the difference we make with the money they raised.”

“Everything we raise goes back to the students and staff,” said Stephanie. “Whether it’s playground equipment for the students or seminars and conferences for our teachers, it all goes back to them. Our parents can see the difference we make with the money they raised.”

According to Stephanie and Dr. Butler, Boosterthon has also helped BWE achieve one of their biggest goals: update their technology.

“Technology has been a big multi-year goal for us at BWE,” said Dr. Butler.

Stephanie agreed: “Technology changes so often, and with our school going into its ninth year, things are outdated and starting to break. We’ve had to update a lot of our technology in the school and purchase new things, as our student population has grown by a lot. We wouldn’t be able to raise these funds doing ‘other’ fundraisers.”

“We wouldn’t be able to raise these funds doing ‘other’ fundraisers.”

When asked why Birnham Woods continues to partner with Boosterthon year after year, Stephanie cited our world-famous character program:

“We love that the kids learn something. It’s not all about the running and raising money. They learn about living with character. They get to interact with the Boosterthon team and feel like they really care about them. Students love the daily team huddles, and that’s something no other fundraiser offers students.”

From her viewpoint, Dr. Butler loves how remarkable the overall Boosterthon experience is:

“While the financial success is definitely helpful, I prefer Boosterthon over any other fundraiser for the experience. What other fundraiser makes memories and a 2-page spread in your yearbook every year? You don’t do that with wrapping paper, cups, or cookie dough. The Boosterthon team brings an excitement and positive energy to our campus that no other fundraiser can!”

“While the financial success is definitely helpful, I prefer Boosterthon over any other fundraiser for the experience.”

When asked what she would say to a school who’s on the fence about partnering with Boosterthon, Stephanie had this to say:

“Just do it! I’ve referred Boosterthon to several other schools because it just makes sense. Instead of doing 3-4 fundraisers where you just barely make enough, you can do one fundraiser and earn more than enough to cover the items on your list. Choosing Boosterthon is a very simple choice to make.”

“Choosing Boosterthon is a very simple choice to make.”

Dr. Butler was even more adamant:

“Call me! You won’t go wrong. It will be more financially beneficial with less stress on you and your volunteers. Plus, it will create memories for you, your staff, and your students that will last a lifetime!”

“Boosterthon will be more financially beneficial with less stress on you and your volunteers. Plus, it will create memories for you, your staff, and your students that will last a lifetime!”